Baby American mink rescued in Northern California yard
Northern California animal control officials were warned that a furry “little intruder” had crept into a resident’s yard after he was spotted sitting next to his dog – but there was a surprising twist.
According to a social post posted June 30, a Sonoma County resident initially told animal control they believed a “baby otter” was wandering on their riverfront property and were concerned about the animal’s welfare. Sonoma County Animal Service.
But when the animal control officer arrived, he quickly determined that the “baby otter” was actually a baby American mink.
A Sonoma County animal control officer was called to a resident’s home to find a missing American Mink baby. The mink was turned over to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue until it could be safely returned to the wild.
According to the report, it is possible that the American mink entered the resident’s yard from the river bank. Sonoma County Animal Service.
Although American minks can be found in Sonoma County and much of Northern California, it is rare for baby American minks to be separated from their mothers until June, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
A Sonoma County animal control officer was called to a resident’s home to find a missing American Mink baby. The mink was turned over to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue until it could be safely returned to the wild.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, American minks normally give birth to a litter in April or May and teach their young how to hunt and survive in the wild for the next five to six weeks before dispersing their offspring in the fall months.
A Sonoma County animal control officer turned the baby American mink over to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue to ensure the animal was cared for until it was released back into the wild.
Noe Padilla is USA Today’s Northern California Correspondent. Contact him at npadilla@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social. Sign up for the TODAY Californian newsletter or follow us on Facebook at TODAY Californian.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Baby American mink rescued from garden in Northern California
